All Blacks leading at halftime in third test

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga scores a try at Eden Park tonight. Picture / Fotopress

HALFTIME: All Blacks 24 Lions 12

The All Blacks were comfortably ahead of the Lions at halftime in the third and final test of the series at Eden Park in Auckland tonight.

The Lions made a number of strong pushes forward, and dominated the early posession. But the All Blacks always seemed to have a man over when they went on the offensive and scored three first half tries.

After a week of incessant rain, conditions were reasonable at kick-off with a fairly strong breeze and a mild 12C, but the showers returned during the first half.

Second test star Dan Carter was unavailable for the match with an injury, as were Richie McCaw and Aaron Mauger. For the Lions, hooker Steve Thompson was a late withdrawal with a virus, joining a long injury list including Jonny Wilkinson.

A minute's silence was held before the game to remember the victims of the bombings in London on Thursday. Some fans in the capacity crowd of over 47,000 held placards denouncing terrorism.

The Lions made a strong start from the kick-off, taking advantage of a long kick from Stephen Jones and driving on when the All Blacks failed to control the ball.

Debutante Luke McAlister cleared well, but the Lions won their lineout and drove on again. The All Blacks were then penalised for collapsing and Jones secured a 3-0 lead for the tourists.

The Lions then had a great opportunity to score a try with seven minutes gone but couldn't pierce the All Blacks defence. However, a penalty was awarded against captain Tana Umaga who was sin-binned for killing the ball.

Jones slotted the penalty for 6-0.

But the Lions' lead was short-lived. They failed to make a series of crucial tackles and Conrad Smith waltzed in on 10 minutes. McAlister converted.

The second try came three minutes later when McAlister put a grubber through which Lions halfback Dwayne Peel made a mess of collecting to let in Ali Williams. McAlister again converted to give the 14-man All Blacks a 14-6 lead.

Jones made it 14-9 with his third penalty from three before Umaga came back on. Another exchange of penalties then made it 17-12 after a high-scoring opening 22 minutes.

There was a pause in scoring until just before halftime, when McAlister burst through following a scrum awarded for a Josh Lewsey knock-on. McAlister set up Umaga for the try. McAlister converted to give the All Blacks a 24-12 lead.

The All Blacks hold a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.